The Church prays these words of the 34th Psalm in liturgies with a particularly Eucharistic theme.  The Liturgy of the Word invigorates the Catholic heart. Truly, the People of God, “taste and see the goodness of the Lord,”    in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar,
   

    Our Holy Father has called upon the Universal Church to celebrate a Year of the Eucharist. It will begin on October 10 with the Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. It closes with the Synod of Bishops in Rome, October 29, 2005.  This year will be for all a marvelous opportunity to renew and enrich our love for the Blessed Eucharistic as Sacrifice and Sacrament.
   

    Let us remember that the Eucharist is the, Gift Beyond Compare, as our Holy Father observed in his Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia Eucharistia.  It is the gift, “par excellence, for it is the gift of Himself” (n.11).    
   

    The most excellent way of growing in love with our Eucharistic Savior is though daily Mass and Communion. The Universal Catechism teaches: "The Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the Holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily"(N. 1389).  Jesus Himself said: "He who eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood lives in Me and I in him.”
   

    In addition, spiritual reading, frequent confession and visits to the Blessed Sacrament are wonderful ways of increasing our level of love.  Praying the Rosary places us under the watchful eye of Our Blessed Mother.  As we pray the sacred mysteries, she enrolls us in the School of Mary. The Virgin Mother teaches us of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament.
   

    I knew a man who spent at least two hours daily before the tabernacle.  One day, I asked him what he said to the Lord during these visits. He replied: "Not much, Father, I just look at Him and He looks at me.  Good friends do that”!
   

    Jesus is our Divine Friend.  He sealed His love for us on the Cross of Calvary and He wants to be with us as well.  Silently, the "Hidden Jesus," as the Fatima children called Him, awaits us in our tabernacles. He longs for us to return His love. No appointment is necessary.  When we visit Him, He showers us with an ocean of graces.  Alone with Jesus, in the silence of the sanctuary, we find the peace that only He can give. 
   

    Yet, do we find the time to be with Him?  The saints tell us that ultimately we will share one common regret: We were far too busy during our lives to visit the “Hidden Jesus”.  Saint Peter Eymard wrote: "Ah! How fearful we will be on Judgment Day for, having lived with so much love at our side, we paid no heed to it" (The Real Presence, P.111).
   

    May Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament inspire us during this Eucharistic Year to develop a deep and abiding love for Our Lord, Jesus, in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.